CUDA 911's 914 Thread ! ! ! Options

[Cuda911]

Hey all,

Today, June 10, 2014, I bought my first 914. It is a 1974 1.8, silver.

My first posts on 914 world were in a thread dedicated to my hunt for a 914. It can be found at the following link:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...p;#entry2048714

Many, many people here provided a massive amount of fantastic information. I have studied, read, and (hopefully) learned the very basics of 914s.

Now that I own one, I will have a million more detailed questions, and I hope to keep things documented in this thread.

First, a few photos for you:

[Cuda911]

(I'm not very good with the "multi-quote thing)

I pulled up the carpeting everywhere, and don't see any sign of rust anywhere on the floorboards. Battery tray has minor surface rust on a very small area. I'll hit that with some naval jelly, wire brush, and Rustoleum in the very near future.

The POR15 can NOT be used to just brush over rust.

Here's a great You Tube video that shows how to use it properly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuDcvwEIkPI

Great info on the rockers. I will check for the bottom screws.

Attached is a pic of the door tag.... is that the one you mean? If so, the part with the paint code is missing.

Kelty, I'll PM you on the Mahles. Probably I should wait a bit though, since I want to get this car into a shop right away and have a good inspection and replace anything that looks like it needs it. There is a minor transmission fluid leak at a rear seal that needs to be fixed. The steel wheel rim rings are a bit rusty on my car. I may get them rechromed.

Today I cleaned up the car and waxed it. Amazing... not even one single scratch or door ding anywhere! I thought there were some scratches, but they were minor scuffs that polished right out.

I just got back from my first drive... I took off the targa top and went about 40 miles or so on the back-country twisty roads... I LOVE this car!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It is an absolute blast to drive. In my other Porsches, when I am going 90 it feels like 40 mph. In the 914, when I am going 40 it feels like 90! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Another question for you guys: Does this car like to be driven at lower or higher RPMs? I like to drive more in the "power band", so my tendency is to keep the RPMs up in the 3500 to 4000 range rather than upshift. But, different cars have different characteristics. If I should be keeping the RPMs down, I will get myself accustomed to using a higher gear more frequently. Do these cars like to get up to 5k rpm between shifts? I admit, I drive my cars hard, but I do want to be reasonable.

When I was shopping for a 914, I was afraid that the 1.8 would seem to "weak", and really wanted the extra 19 HP of the 2.0. Honestly, though, the 1.8 seems MUCH better than I had hoped. Of course, I still wouldn't mind more HP, but I am plenty satisfied.

If you guys recall, a "colorful" 914 was one of my "must-haves". But, after owning this car for all of one day, the silver color is sure growing on me!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

As you all can probably tell, I am super pleased with this car!!!

[SirAndy]

I pulled up the carpeting everywhere, and don't see any sign of rust anywhere on the floorboards.

I hate to come back to this point, please don't take it personally! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

A visual inspection under the carpets is *useless* since the floorboards are covered with a thick layer of tar and the factory painted OVER the tar.
The floors will look rust free and perfect until the day the seats fall through.

You really need to take the time and do the crunch test and poke around with a screwdriver, especially behind the seats.

Many a 914 has had a leaking rear window at some point in its life, and that's where the water goes.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)